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You saw the ubiquitous Nolan chirping at offensive coordinator Jim Hostler, when Hostler was down on the sidelines. You see him in practice fiddling with defensive coordinator Greg Manuky’s defense in walk-throughs. Typically, Nolan has the head set on whether the team is on offense or defense.

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Nolan watching his offense

Should he butt out and just worry about managing the game and handling timeouts?

Nolan referenced the micromanagement charge during his Monday news conference, when he was asked if he ever pipes up when a specific player isn’t getting enough opportunities. Vernon Davis for example (Nolan did ask why Davis was held without a catch until under seven minutes remained in the Seattle game).

However, those who insert themselves into play-calling without doing their homework can mess things up royally. Bill Walsh was guilty. When he came back as a consultant during the forgettable Marc Trestman-as-offensive-coordinator era in the mid 1990′s, coaches complained bitterly when Walsh suggested plays. First of all, who’s going to tell Walsh they won’t run his play? Secondly as great as Walsh was as a playcaller, if a coach doesn’t burn his eyes dry watching hours of film, and doesn’t know the overall goal of the game-day strategy, how can he be effective?

If that goes for Walsh, it certainly goes for Nolan, who was reared on the defensive side of the ball. To Nolan’s credit, he might have the right to meddle. Since the bye week, he as involved himself more completely with the offensive strategy. He said Wednesday that he spends morning on game-planning day (typically Tuesday) with the defense. Then he’s in with the offensive coaches, hatching the run game, passing game, third-down situations, etc.

So Nolan has done the homework to meddle but should he? And further, what sort of meddling should he do? If Vernon Davis is getting enough passes, or if Frank Gore isn’t getting enough carries should he point it out?